Lokis (film)
 | This article is missing information about the film's plot, production, theatrical/home media releases, and reception. (June 2018) |
| Lokis. Rękopis profesora Wittembacha | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Janusz Majewski |
| Screenplay by | Janusz Majewski |
| Based on | Lokis. A Manuscript of Professor Wittembach by Prosper Mérimée |
| Starring | Józef Duriasz Edmund Fetting Gustaw Lutkiewicz Małgorzata Braunek Zofia Mrozowska Hanna Stankówna |
| Cinematography | Stefan Matyjaszkiewicz |
| Edited by | Lidia Zonn |
| Music by | Wojciech Kilar |
Production company | P.P. Film Polski |
Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | Poland |
| Language | Polish |
Lokis (Polish: Lokis. Rękopis profesora Wittembacha, lit. 'Lokis. A Manuscript of Professor Wittembach') is a 1970 Polish fantasy horror film written and directed by Janusz Majewski, and based on the 1869 Prosper Mérimée horror novel of the same name. "Lokis" is Mérimée's misspelling of the Lithuanian word lokys for "bear".
Plot[]
In 19th century Lithuania, Pastor and folklorist Wittembach is invited to stay at the home of a young nobleman named Count Michał Szemiot. Arriving at the mansion, he is told that Szemiot's mother has been driven mad after an apparent bear attack in her youth, and is now sequestered at the estate. Doctor Froeber, who treats the ailing Countess with old-fashioned remedies, reveals that the villagers of the estate claim that Michał is possibly the son of the bear that attacked his mother all those years ago. Michał soon begins to display animal-like behavior that grows worse as time goes on. In the end, a completely devolved Michał/Lokis brutally murders his bride by tearing out her throat with his teeth before disappearing into the woods, never to be seen again.
Cast[]
- as Count Michał Szemiot
- Edmund Fetting as Pastor Wittembach
- Gustaw Lutkiewicz as Doctor Froeber
- Małgorzata Braunek as Julia Dowgiałło
- Zofia Mrozowska as Countess Szemiot, mother of Michał
- Hanna Stankówna as Governess Pamela Leemon
Production[]
Lokis was written and directed by Janusz Majewski. The film itself is based on the Prosper Mérimée's 1869 novella of the same name.[1]
Reception[]
Modern[]
Stephen Thrower on the website Movies and Mania commended the film's atmosphere, characterizations, cinematography, and visuals. However, Thrower criticized film's overall restraint in regards to the horror aspects of Mérimée's original story.[2] Adam Groves of Fright.com offered the film similar criticism, calling it "a well made though somewhat monotonous work of atmospheric horror."[3] Dave Sindelar from Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings gave the film a mostly positive review, comparing it favorably to the works of Val Lewton, while noting the film's runtime and slow pacing.[4]
Awards[]
In 1971, the film earned for Majewski the "Best feature film director ex-aequo" award at the 14th International Festival of Science Fiction and Horror Films, Sitges, Spain,[5][6] as well as Polish film awards.
References[]
- ^ Marek Haltof (2 February 2015). Historical Dictionary of Polish Cinema. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 150. ISBN 978-1-4422-4472-6.
- ^ Thrower, Stephen. "Lokis – Poland, 1970 – reviews". MoviesandMania.com. Stephen Thrower. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ Groves, Adam. "Reviews- Lokis". Fright.com. Adam Groves. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ Sindelar, Dave. "Lokis (1970)". FantasticMovieMusings.com. Dave Sindelar. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ Sitges Film Festival: 1971 awards
- ^ An Outline History of Polish Culture, 1984, ISBN 83-223-2036-1, p. 362
External links[]
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- Polish-language films
- 1970 films
- 1970 drama films
- 1970 horror films
- Films based on works by Prosper Mérimée
- Films directed by Janusz Majewski
- Gothic horror films
- Polish films
- Polish fantasy films
- Polish horror films
- 1970s Polish-language films
- Polish film stubs
- 1970s horror film stubs